CARL McHUGH worried he might not have a future in the game in the summer. Tonight he will be tasked with keeping quiet one of the most explosive talents in the Premier League.

Irish defender McHugh, 19, was released by Reading at the end of last season and had to wait until August to sign for League Two Bradford.

He broke into the side in October and helped Phil Parkinson’s team to shock Capital One Cup victories over Wigan and Arsenal that earned them a semi-final clash with Aston Villa.

That means McHugh is set to face Belgium international striker Christian Benteke, who has been one of the few positives in Villa’s difficult start to the season.

For Republic of Ireland Under-19 star McHugh, it is all a far cry from his loan spells with Swindon Supermarine and Dundalk.

And he admits his only real experience of facing the kind of strength Benteke possesses was having to deal with Northampton’s Clive Platt and Adebayo Akinfenwa, who weighs 16st.

But after he faced worries about his future only a few months ago and having shackled players such as Mauro Boselli and Gervinho, he is ready for the challenge of keeping tabs on Benteke. McHugh said: “I have always had confidence in my ability and you have to have that and never give up because I have had a few tough times over the years.

“You just have to think that when you get that chance you’re good enough to take it – and thankfully I’ve done well when I’ve had the chance.

“Arsenal was a bit of a blur and after the game I was in a bit of a daze, but it was a brilliant night for the club. And I had my family and friends over, so personally it was really special.

“It is a bit different to Swindon Supermarine, but that was a good experience because it was my first of men’s football and it’s completely different from the academy.

“Benteke has been fantastic in the Premier League and he is a different proposition to some of the Arsenal strikers. But we’ll just have to try to deal with him as best we can. There’s also Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann, Gabriel Agbonlahor – Villa have loads of top players. So it doesn’t matter who you’re up against, it’s going to be a massive test.”

Even McHugh’s family gave Parkinson’s men little chance against the Gunners. They travelled over en masse for that game but, with their flights already booked for Christmas, the visit of Villa is too soon for another journey.

You just have to think that when you get that chance you’re good enough to take it – and thankfully I’ve done well when I’ve had the chance

Carl McHugh

McHugh, who has been struggling with a calf problem, has not even contemplated what might happen if Bradford can do the unthinkable once again.

But other than his plans to get the better of Benteke, he has one other mission tonight.

He added: “Shay Given was a hero of mine growing up while he was playing for Ireland and in the World Cup. So it would be great to be on the same pitch as him; it’s his jersey I’ll be looking for at the end of the game. This match has come a bit too soon for my family, but we’ll see how we get on in the first leg and maybe they can get over and come to Villa Park. But I’ll have a few friends here and there will be plenty watching back in Donegal.”

Parkinson believes the clash with Paul Lambert’s Premier League stars will help put the Bantams back on the map.

Bradford, who are just outside the League Two play-off spots, were in the top flight just over a decade ago, but they have never come this far in the League Cup.

Manager Parkinson said: “This is a big club, a sleeping giant and we are trying to reawaken it. The win against Arsenal reminded everyone that Bradford are up and running and starting to get going again. It’s probably much harder over two legs, but our aim is to get to that second game with a real chance of getting though. If we ahchieve that, then we will have performed very well.”